Fly in a Spitfire,
the ultimate aviation dream

Experience the flight of your life in this iconic aircraft.

Fly in a Spitfire,
the ultimate aviation dream

Experience the flight of your life in this iconic aircraft.

Fly a Legend: Experience the Iconic Spitfire Aircraft

Live the Dream. Fly the Legend.

Step into the cockpit of aviation history with our exclusive Spitfire aircraft flight experiences. Feel the power and grace of this legendary WWII fighter as you take to the skies, reliving the golden age of aviation.

30 Minute
Spitfire Flight

This flight offers plenty of time to get to grips with the manoeuvring capabilities of the T9 and is our most popular option

£2,975

50 Minute
Spitfire Flight

With this extended flight you will have the chance to see some local military landmarks from the historic to the cutting edge.

£4,850

Spitfire Pilot Training

You will receive ground school and flight training in the three aircraft types that were commonly used in training RAF pilots in the Second World War, the De Havilland Tiger Moth, The North American T6 Harvard and the iconic Super marine Spitfire.

What you have said…

Just some of the comments we’ve had

The flight exceeded all my expectations, so much time with control of “the stick”! It was a fantastic flight experience to celebrate my 60th Birthday and we had four generations of the family there. Everybody from the oldest, mum and dad (reminiscing about their war experiences) to the youngest, both our grandchildren, thoroughly enjoyed the whole day at Duxford. Truly unforgettable.

Derek, Staffordshire

I am a pilot, it was my dream to fly a Spitfire which I did earlier this year, words simply can’t express the emotion this brought me.

Keith, London W14

A truly marvellous experience from making the booking, through being so well looked after by the Classic Wings team at Duxford, to the ‘dream come true’ flight in my favourite aircraft of all time.

Steve T, (Tripadvisor)

A dream come true with a 50 minute Spitfire flight. From the moment we arrived the ground crew Will, Laura & Richard made the whole experience special, fully briefing me and keeping my wife informed on what was happening every step of the way – a massive thanks to all three for making this experience everything we dreamed it would be.

Peter A, (Tripadvisor)

I have to say the whole experience didn’t disappoint in any way, starting with the staff who were very friendly, efficient and knowledgeable, I immediately felt in safe hands.

Safari, (Tripadvisor)
What a fantastic day this was, it had been a wish of my husbands for many years to fly in a Spitfire. I have never seen him so happy and he could not keep a smile off his face all day!
The brilliant team who took my husband through the experience could not have been a nicer bunch of people so I would like to say a huge thank you for keeping us informed and for being very amusing but professional.
Tara J, (Tripadvisor)

Why Choose Our Spitfire Flight Experiences?

It is our aim to provide you with the ultimate Spitfire flying experince, emphasising service, professionalism and most important of all, safety.

Our pilots are highly qualified and have exceptional knowledge of their aircraft.

Your activity includes the following

  • Welcome to Duxford by Classic Wings staff with refreshments on arrival

  • A detailed pre-flight briefing covering the aircraft, equipment and in-flight safety procedures

  • A 30 or 50 minute flight experience in the rear seat of a T9 Two seater Spitfire (this may not always be the aircraft featured in our promotion material)

  • Helmet, flight suit and parachute are provided for the flight

  • Q & A session with the team with up-close access to the aircraft

  • Flight certificate to take home

  • Professional photo of yourself seated in the Spitfire

  • A great day out at IWM Duxford with free entry for the voucher holder and one guest, plus half price entry for all other accompanying spectators

Minimum age 18 Years oldMaximum Height 6ft 6 inches (198cm), no minimum height.
Maximum weight 230 lb, 105Kg You will be weighed and measured on the day. Passenger dimensions must allow full and unrestricted movement of the control column.
You need to be healthy and agile enough to climb into the aircraft and safely experience the dynamic nature of the flight – if you have any concerns over your suitability you should consult your GP. You should not participate if you are on prescription medication, suffering from a cold, are pregnant or suffering from any condition affecting your breathing or consciousness
It is generally accepted that if you are fit enough to hold a private driving licence you should be fit enough to participate in this activity.

Availability

WHEN BOOKING A DATE AND TIME – PLEASE NOTE THE TIMES GIVEN ARE FOR THE PRE-FLIGHT BRIEFING AND NOT THE ACTUAL FLIGHT TIME.
Flights are available on selected dates throughout the season between April and October.

Duration

The flight experience times are from when the aircraft moves off to when it comes back to a standstill (known as chock to chock). Airborne time will be approximately 10 minutes shorter than your chosen experience time. Please allow at least half a day, and ideally a whole day, at the venue to allow for pre-flight briefings, Q&A sessions with the pilot, photography time, and for any weather delays.

The Aircraft

Due to aircraft availability and maintenance schedules, the T9 Spitfire used may not always be the aircraft PV202 featured in our information.

Meal Arrangements

Light refreshments will be provided on arrival and there is a Restaurant and several cafes available on site.

Weather Restrictions

All flights are weather dependent and therefore subject to suitable flying conditions. If a flight has to be cancelled it will be rebooked for an alternative date, which must be within 12 months of the cancellation date.

Clothing Requirements

You will be kitted out with your own PPE (personal protective equipment) consisting of a Flight Suit, Helmet and Gloves. You will need to provide your own footwear; this should be sturdy and offer ankle support.

A full information pack will be sent to you on receipt of your booking.

ALL BOOKINGS ARE CONFIRMED INSTANTLY BY EMAIL.
Please contact us if you do not receive your confirmation email immediately after booking.

Classic Wings

Fly in an Authentic Spitfire

Soar in an original, meticulously restored Spitfire, one of the most iconic aircraft ever built.

Classic Wings

Feel Aviation History

During your flight our skilled pilot will demonstrate the awesome capability of this aircraft and it may be possible to experience this aircraft’s signature manoeuvre, the victory roll..

Classic Wings

Flight Briefing

Following a detailed pre-flight briefing you will follow in the footsteps of the few as you take to the sky in the T9 Spitfire.

Classic Wings

The complete experience

On returning to Duxford your day is far from over. IWM Duxford is the largest living aviation museum in Europe with 85 acres of stunning exhibition space.

Take the time to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a full day out with the whole family.

Imperial War Museum Duxford

Spitfire Mk Tr IX

A short history by Chris Scholfield of Classic Wings

 

There can’t be many people who have seen a Spitfire flying at an airshow, an open –air concert or a ceremonial flypast and wondered what it would be like to climb aboard and see those elegant elliptical wings soaring over the English countryside from the cockpit.

It may come as a surprise to many that the Royal Air Force didn’t have a two-seat Spitfire for training pilots in the Second World War. The usual route to gaining the coveted fighter pilot’s wings was to do the basic training on a Tiger Moth or Miles Magister, advanced training on a N.A. Harvard or Miles Master then off to an Operational Training Unit for an introduction to the Spitfire or Hurricane. The absence of a two-seater was in part due to the pressing need for all the fighter versions that could be delivered. Whatever the reason, the system worked and the Spitfire was in the thick of the action from the Battle of Britain to D-Day and beyond.

As supply of the aircraft became a little easier, other air forces took delivery and it is believed that the South African Air Force modified a Mark V to take a second pilot although it was used as a liaison aircraft rather than as a trainer. The Russians were not so coy and modified several Mark IXs by the simple expedient of chopping a hole behind the pilot and putting in the extra seat with basic controls to act as a rudimentary trainer.

At the end of the war the Spitfire was still a competitive fighter aircraft and several newly reformed air forces bought large quantities as the nucleus of their squadrons. With this came a requirement for a two-seater and so Vickers Supermarine dusted off the plans for what was to become the sole T8. This provided the basis for a production version based on the Mark IX and this found a useful export market.

Numbers are hard to confirm but the Indian Air force bought 9, the Irish Air Force 6, the Royal Dutch Air Force 3 and the Royal Egyptian Air Force 1.

More recently several owners have modified their aircraft in to two-seat variants in order to share the Spitfire flying experience with others. As might be expected, it is a complex project to carry out the conversion which entails removing the forward fuel tank to enable the front (pilot’s) cockpit to be moved 12 inches forward. This helps maintain the balance of the aircraft.

Huw Rees Photography

More flight experiences are available from Classic Wings
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More flight experiences are available from Classic Wings

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